🔗 Share this article

Northampton is hardly the most tropical destination globally, but its rugby union team offers a great deal of romance and adventure.

In a city renowned for shoe production, you would think boot work to be the Saints’ primary strategy. Yet under head coach Phil Dowson, the squad in the club's hues opt to keep ball in hand.

Although representing a typically British community, they display a panache associated with the best Gallic practitioners of champagne rugby.

From the time Dowson and the head coach Sam Vesty stepped up in 2022, Northampton have secured the Premiership and advanced far in the European competition – beaten by their Gallic opponents in the previous campaign's decider and ousted by Dublin-based club in a last-four clash earlier.

They currently top the Prem table after a series of victories and one tie and travel to Ashton Gate on matchday as the only unbeaten side, chasing a initial success at Bristol's home since 2021.

It would be typical to think Dowson, who featured in 262 elite matches for various teams altogether, always planned to be a manager.

“When I played, I didn't really think about it,” he states. “But as you get older, you understand how much you appreciate the sport, and what the everyday life entails. I had a stint at a financial institution doing an internship. You make the journey a few times, and it was challenging – you see what you do and don’t have.”

Conversations with Dusty Hare and Jim Mallinder culminated in a role at Northampton. Jump ahead a decade and Dowson guides a team ever more crammed with global stars: key individuals were selected for the national side versus the New Zealand two weeks ago.

The young flanker also had a significant influence from the replacements in the national team's perfect autumn while the fly-half, eventually, will assume the pivotal position.

Is the development of this exceptional cohort because of the Saints’ culture, or is it luck?

“It is a combination of the two,” comments Dowson. “I would acknowledge an ex-coach, who thrust them into action, and we had challenging moments. But the exposure they had as a collective is certainly one of the factors they are so united and so talented.”

Dowson also mentions his predecessor, another predecessor at Franklin’s Gardens, as a significant mentor. “I was lucky to be coached by highly engaging individuals,” he adds. “He had a significant influence on my rugby life, my management style, how I interact with individuals.”

Saints execute appealing rugby, which was clearly evident in the case of Anthony Belleau. The import was a member of the opposing team defeated in the European competition in last season when the winger registered a three tries. He liked what he saw sufficiently to buck the pattern of British stars heading across the Channel.

“A mate rang me and stated: ‘We know of a Gallic number ten who’s looking for a team,’” Dowson explains. “My response was: ‘We don’t have funds for a French fly-half. A different option will have to wait.’

‘He wants new challenges, for the opportunity to prove his worth,’ my friend told me. That interested me. We spoke to him and his communication was outstanding, he was articulate, he had a funny side.

“We inquired: ‘What are your goals from this?’ He answered to be trained, to be pushed, to be in a new environment and away from the domestic competition. I was thinking: ‘Welcome aboard, you’re a legend of a man.’ And he has been. We’re lucky to have him.”

Dowson says the young the flanker brings a specific vitality. Has he coached anyone like him? “No,” Dowson answers. “Each person is unique but Henry is distinct and special in multiple respects. He’s fearless to be who he is.”

Pollock’s spectacular try against the Irish side previously illustrated his exceptional talent, but some of his animated during matches actions have resulted in allegations of cockiness.

“On occasion appears cocky in his actions, but he’s not,” Dowson asserts. “Plus Henry’s not taking the piss all the time. Tactically he has input – he’s not a clown. I think at times it’s depicted that he’s merely a joker. But he’s clever and great to have to have around.”

Not many coaches would describe themselves as having a bromance with a assistant, but that is how Dowson frames his partnership with Sam Vesty.

“Together have an interest about different things,” he says. “We have a literary circle. He wants to see all aspects, seeks to understand all there is, desires to try varied activities, and I believe I’m the similar.

“We talk about lots of topics outside the sport: movies, books, thoughts, creativity. When we faced the Parisian club last year, the cathedral was undergoing restoration, so we had a little wander around.”

One more date in France is approaching: The Saints' reacquaintance with the domestic league will be temporary because the Champions Cup intervenes soon. The French side, in the vicinity of the Pyrenees, are the opening fixture on the coming weekend before the Pretoria-based club arrive at a week later.

“I won't be overconfident to the extent to {